UPSC Mains 2026 PSIR Optional Paper I questions

27 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All PSIR Optional PYQs

1. Resurgence of political theory

2. Post-colonial theory of State

3. The freedom of the pike is death to the minnows.

4. Legitimacy is always a 'social construct'.

5. Herbert Marcuse turned Freudianism on its head in his critical theory.

6. Fife "Rights of the man are separate and independent of the State." Critically analyze the perspective of Laski.

   20 marks

7. "Fortune favours the brave." In the light of this statement, discuss Machiavelli's concepts of 'virtue' and fortune'.

   15 marks

8. Mill's work was crucial to the development of liberalism, because it straddled the divide between classical and modern theories. Analyze.

   20 marks

9. Wollstonecraft developed first systematic feminist critique. Discuss her main ideas.

   15 marks

10. Discuss Gandhi's approach to property in relation to trusteeship.

    15 marks

11. "Representative democracy is not an absolute principle, rather a question of time, place and circumstances." Analyze the statement. Mention the major challenges to representative democracy.

    20 marks

12. SITE What is capability approach? Elaborate the distinctive features of the capability theory of equality.

    15 marks

13. Analyze Kautilya's Saptanga theory. How do you explain its significance in present-day politics?

    15 marks

14. Taeeht Ft seat cars At HIT A a aftaha Be? How did Swadeshi grow into a demand for Swaraj?

15. The Constitution of India was secular even before the word was included in the Preamble. Comment.

16. Identity has become an important phenomenon in the modern politics in India. Discuss.

17. Ending proxy leadership in Panchayati Raj is a necessary step towards true grassroots democracy. Comment.

18. Discuss the impact of liberalization on agriculture sector in India.

19. From passive resistors to armed revolutionaries, the Indian Freedom Struggle has a strong imprint of women freedom fighters. Elucidate.

    20 marks

20. Teder Used & Pay A facts if When there are multiple stakeholders of power, conversation and consensus become the natural ingredients of governance. Analyze with respect to coalition politics.

    15 marks

21. Evaluate the Centre-State relation with reference to Article 293 and analyze its implications for the Indian federal structure.

    15 marks

22. Elucidate the prominent trends in voting behaviour in contemporary India, and discuss how astroturfing affects the scenario.

    20 marks

23. Highlight any five constitutional provisions that restrain the powers of the executive, and evaluate their effectiveness in current times.

    15 marks

24. Map the different types of ethnic conflicts that have emerged in 21st century India.

    15 marks

25. Discuss the causes and consequences of inter-State water disputes in India.

    20 marks

26. Critically comment on the shifts in the functioning of the Indian Parliament in the last two decades.

    15 marks

27. "The lack of political will in preventing environmental degradation is one of the major challenges that India is experiencing." Comment.

    15 marks